BEVERLY HILLS, October 16, (THEWILL) – The #EndSWAT protests continue on Friday as protesters gathered in France and London to raise voices against police brutality and oppressive regime in Nigeria
Even social media was not spared of the situation in Nigeria as photographs and videos on the #EndSWAT protesters occupied Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.
In France, Nigerian residents on Friday lent their voices to protest against brutality and human rights violations committed by operatives of the dissolved Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) by joining the #EndSARS protests.
The protesters demonstrated peacefully in front of the Nigerian Embassy at the Victor Hugo area of Paris, to demand an end to police brutality and human rights abuses under the administration of President Buhari.
Calling for a total reformation of the Nigeria Police Force, the protesters also asked that the Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Adamu immediately resign his position for overseeing a failed law enforcement agency. They also demanded the resignation of President Buhari over rising cases of killings, kidnappings and general insecurity in the country.
The situation in London was not different. Protesters decried the repressive system of the police and the Nigerian Government. They condemned the attack on peaceful protesters by “hired thugs” and urged the British Government to pressure President Buhari to meet the demands of the protesters.
In Nigeria, youths continued their protest against police brutality and extortion at several locations in Lagos State, Abuja, Delta state and other city centres.
The first casualty of Friday protest was the Nigeria Broadcasting Corporation, NBC as its Twitter account was hacked by an ‘Anonymous’ in solidarity with the #EndSWATprotesters.
Anonymous, which claimed a legion membership, took over the Twitter account of NBC to greet Nigerians. “Good morning, great Nigerians. TGIF and it’s also a good day to #ENDSARS and #EndSWAT. We #Anonymous will continue supporting Nigerians,” the hackers said in a message posted to NBC’s handle.
The #EndSWAT protest resumed at the Lagos State House of Assembly, Alausa, Ikorodu, Gbagada, Lekki and Magboro on Friday.
At Gbagada, the protesters blocked the Gbagada-Oshodi expressway, causing gridlock as they chanted “End SARS, End SWAT”. They also shut down the Ikorodu Garage Roundabout.
At the Magboro area of the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, protesters occupied the two ends of the road. There was gridlock as vehicular and human movement was disrupted. Even a military vehicle that tried to maneuver its way through the road was forced to retreat.
The protesters displayed placards with different inscriptions to demonstrate their grievances against the disbanded Special Anti-Robbery Squad, a unit of the Nigeria Police Force.
One of the protesters Segun told THEWILL that they were occupying the road because there is a “nationwide protest for the soul of our country. #EndSARS, #Endpolicebrutality, end bad governance, and wickedness to the Nigerian youths. It is time for the youths to take over.”
Muslim faithful among the protesters in Lagos held their Jummat prayers at the protest ground at Alausa and in Lekki.
In the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Abuja, protesters continued their protests across the city, demanding justice for all victims of police brutality and killings. While they continue to press for their demands to be met, the protest took another twist as the Muslim youths observed their Jummat prayers on the road.
This comes 24 hours after the Federal Capital Territory Security Committee barred protesters from Abuja. According to a statement by the Chief Press Secretary, Anthony Ogunleye, on Thursday, the development became necessary due to the dangers posed by the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic.
In Delta State, protesters marched through the Ughelli main market, to Ekuigbo and the Ughelli Police Area Command office which also houses the Ughelli ‘A’ division police station. Unlike the violent October 8 protest, Friday’s protest was more coordinated with private security personnel monitoring the gathering to prevent it from being hijacked by hoodlums.
A spokesperson for the protesters, Stanley Orubu in his address at the Ughelli Police station, said: “they say we are the leaders of tomorrow, but how can the police be the ones killing the youths of tomorrow? How can we as unarmed civilians be scared of policemen instead of armed robbers?”
In his address to the protesters, the Ughelli North council chairman, Chief Godwin Adode while commending the protesters on the peaceful disposition, said “I know that we all need peace and that’s why we are here, but we will do everything possible within our powers to ensure that peace is maintained at all times. Personally speaking I am part of you and I have done everything within my power to ensure that peace is maintained within and around Ughelli North local government area council.”
Days after the Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Adamu, set up a new unit called the Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) Team, to replace the disbanded Special Anti-Robbery Unit (SARS), the protests only seem to be gaining more momentum as many Nigerians suspect the new unit may amount to a mere change of name.
As the protest continued on Friday with many rejecting the SWAT unit, the police have said no member of SARS will be in the unit.
Happening Now: #EndSARS Rally in London. Crowd Sings To Eedris Abdulkareem’s Nigeria Jaga Jaga Like a Mass Choir pic.twitter.com/yvKEr3hhDd
— Reno Omokri (@renoomokri) October 16, 2020
#WATCH: #EndSARS protests led by actor, John Boyega, have begun in London pic.twitter.com/7GJX0nmdIf
— P.M. NEWS (@pmnewsnigeria) October 11, 2020
Live at the Nigeria High Commission in Central London #EndSARS #EndSarsProtests 🇳🇬🇬🇧 pic.twitter.com/PiDo1dX885
— Ẹniafẹ́ Momodu #EndSARS 🐝 (@EniafeMomodu) October 11, 2020
Protest at Downing Street in London earlier today 🇬🇧#EndSARS #EndSWAT #SARSMustEnd #SustainTheProtests pic.twitter.com/9zTlcDy0ei
— Ire Aderinokun (@ireaderinokun) October 15, 2020
#EndSARS protest in Paris France 🇫🇷 pic.twitter.com/crgoKzfHq6
— Swanky Fash👟 (@michealswanky) October 16, 2020
Alausa protest right now. How it should be done. #EndSARS pic.twitter.com/vzu1ymw9Na
— Yagazie Emezi (@YagazieEmezi) October 16, 2020
At the Lekki Vi toll now. #EndSARS pic.twitter.com/zvK6swCbrg
— Ayomide Dokunmu (@caanniiball) October 16, 2020
Muslims observing their Jummah prayers on the #EndSARS protest ground. Lovely to watch 😊😍 pic.twitter.com/SZvzRdCnbf
— MR AHMED🇳🇬 (@UncleMohamz) October 16, 2020
UPDATE: Happening now at toll gate!
DON'T STOP RTing!!! #EndSARS pic.twitter.com/GpO3QMwt6A— davvyd moore #EndSARS (@davvydmoore) October 16, 2020
“THIS IS NOT YOUR PLACE, WE PAY YOUR SALARY” 😂😂😂 #EndSARS pic.twitter.com/VCJ2UgX8nC
— WHAYASAY™ (@iamwillsteel) October 16, 2020
What do we want? #EndSARS #EndSWAT 🗣🗣🗣 Our voices must be heard today #AwkaProtests pic.twitter.com/jqhh28G5wN
— Flavour of Africa (@2niteFlavour) October 16, 2020
I enjoyed this person. I don’t know who he is but he is speaking facts. I love it. #EndSARS pic.twitter.com/Va6LD5XrI8
— AnomalY (@IFE__AKIN) October 16, 2020
I enjoyed this person. I don’t know who he is but he is speaking facts. I love it. #EndSARS pic.twitter.com/Va6LD5XrI8
— AnomalY (@IFE__AKIN) October 16, 2020
Live in Awka, Anambra State. We are not here to joke. Currently on our way to Awkuzu SARS. #EndSARS pic.twitter.com/qPxhCywpCi
— Chima Ihueze (@IhuezeMD) October 16, 2020
Seun Kuti spitting fire at the protest ground at ALAUSA SECRETARIAT LAGOS. Click on this link to watch the full clip https://t.co/1iZEufb6Nk#EndSARS #EndNigeriaNow pic.twitter.com/IJcBs3HFah
— Oduduwa Republic (@OduduwaR) October 16, 2020
Each day that passes, a hero falls. A youth left his house, happy & healthy to give his voice to the betterment of this nation, he ends up giving his life. This is someone's child💔😭
It shall never be well with these people. I feel pain inside 😭#EndSARS pic.twitter.com/XMwzMB9jZ3— Faith B. 💗👄 #EndSARS 🔥 (@faithfulgirlie) October 16, 2020
This is the type of video we should be airing massively for the whole world to see. This can even be played on the big screen at Lekki Toll gate.
Looking like a Netflix documentary already. ✊✊✊
#EndSARS pic.twitter.com/dK4JRixRda
— Wale Adetona (@iSlimfit) October 16, 2020
#EndSARS Protesters Eating The Chicken and Wearing The T-Shirts I Promised Yesterday. Even If You Can’t Protest, Feed Protesters, Clothe Them. Do Something! pic.twitter.com/sZshSvZjvz
— Reno Omokri (@renoomokri) October 16, 2020
Benin boys no dey fear anybody!!!!!!! ring road is on FULL LOCKDOWN!!!! Every political thug don kawa!!!!! I love my people!!!!! #EndSARS #StopPoliceBrutalityinNigeria #BeninProtests pic.twitter.com/6QqrZNOAKN
— Cyrus Tha Virus (@Cyrus_ThaVirus) October 16, 2020
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